Anthropic is launching a new API that allows its Claude AI models to search across the web. Developers using it can build Claude-powered apps that deliver up-to-date info, the company said in a press release published Wednesday.
The rollout of the API comes as AI companies look to augment their models in various ways that might attract new customers to their platforms. For its part, Anthropic last week debuted a tool to connect applications to Claude as well as an expanded “deep research” capability that lets Claude search enterprise accounts, websites, and more.
“Developers can now augment Claude’s comprehensive knowledge with current, real-world data by enabling the web search tool when making requests to [our] API,” Anthropic wrote in its release. “With web search, developers can now build AI solutions that tap into current information without needing to manage their own web search infrastructure.”
Web search is now available on our API.Developers can augment Claude's comprehensive knowledge with up-to-date data. pic.twitter.com/pRQf0ZKXUZ— Anthropic (@AnthropicAI) May 7, 2025
When the web search API is enabled, Claude will use “reasoning” capabilities to determine whether a given request would benefit from up-to-date information or specialized knowledge. If Claude decides to search the web, it’ll generate a search query, retrieve results, analyze them, and provide an answer with citations.
Claude can also refine its queries and conduct multiple searches, using earlier results to inform subsequent queries. Developers can customize this behavior as well as specify domains from which Claude is allowed and not allowed to search. Devs can also allow or prohibit web search use at the organization level, Anthropic says.
Devs can block Claude from searching certain domains. Image Credits:Anthropic
In related news, Anthropic is bringing web search to Claude Code, its tool that allows devs to tap Claude to complete various coding tasks. With web search enabled, Claude Code can access current API documentation, technical articles, and other information on development tools and libraries.
Claude Code remains in beta as a research preview.
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Kyle Wiggers
AI Editor
Kyle Wiggers is TechCrunch’s AI Editor. His writing has appeared in VentureBeat and Digital Trends, as well as a range of gadget blogs including Android Police, Android Authority, Droid-Life, and XDA-Developers. He lives in Manhattan with his partner, a music therapist.
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